Tom Baroch Memorial Fund

Tom Baroch was known by many as a man who cared about people with Spina Bifida. He was a long-time advocate who worked hard to make sure that the Spina Bifida community’s voices were heard both in the United States and abroad, especially in Guatemala. Before his sudden death in November 2018, he served on the Spina Bifida Association’s (SBA) Board of Directors from 2001 to 2004; worked intensively with the SBA of Colorado and the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus; attended SBA’s first annual Teal on the Hill advocacy event, writing a reflection on his experience; and was working to help establish a Spina Bifida clinic in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In 2018, a scholarship fund was established in his memory to provide adults with Spina Bifida the opportunity to attend Teal on the Hill. In 2019, nine scholarships were provided to recipients across the United States, enabling them to travel to Washington, DC and meet with their Members of Congress. In addition, a Thomas Baroch Advocacy Award was set up in 2019 to recognize outstanding advocates on the national and/or state level. The award will be presented annually to an individual who has had significant and lasting impact on advocacy for research and other policy issues affecting the lives of people with Spina Bifida.

If you would like to contribute to the Tom Baroch Memorial Fund, simply click Donate. Your contribution will be made in memory of Tom and will support this meaningful, annual scholarship and award program.